Aperture 3 removal from Mac App Store, could suggest new update [u]

Apple's Aperture app has suddenly disappeared from the Mac App Store after weeks of sitting among the top grossing apps, suggesting a new version may be around the corner [update: now available again].

When the Mac App Store debuted in early January, Apple's own Aperture 3 was one of its biggest hits, thanks in part to a steeply discounted $79 price. The professional photography title remained in the store's top grossing titles.

However, the title has now disappeared from the Mac App Store with no mention of an update, although Apple's Aperture 3 page is still in place and offering a free 30 day trial.

Update: Aperture is once again available for sale in the Mac App Store at its $79.99 discounted price, and is again listed as the top grossing app in the US Mac App Store. Users in other regions have reported that the app was never removed from their local version of the Mac App Store, including Canada and Australia.

It could be fun if it gained a user-interface redesign similar to what Final Cut is supposed to be getting. To have this and Final Cut shown at a keynote along with the announcement that iWork11 is finally being released, and an updated preview of Lion with a more solid release date... that would be entertaining.

I find it hard to believe that Aperture 4 would be coming out so soon after 3. A point update wouldn't require pulling the app out of the store though. However, given that the only suggestive "evidence" you have of an update is the app being gone from the store, I'm not convinced Aperture 4 is imminent. You're really just guessing.

I bought it through the App store so I hope they make 4 a free update to those early App store purchasers. Would be nice anyway.

What about those of us that bought it at its original box price last January!?

I'd love to think there's an update coming, but it'd be a surprise. In the meantime, we're all left guessing and for some of us it's a real pain in the rear.

My girlfriend was about to purchase Aperture 3 and now she won't know whether to go ahead on the UK store or wait and see, not knowing how long the wait till be. It's not good if you're a professional photographer like she and I are and need to make these decisions. Let's hope there's some explanation soon.